The PC Engine was released by NEC, a Japanese company, in 1987. The PC Engine was a collaborative effort between Japanese software maker Hudson Soft (which maintains a chip-making division) and NEC. Hudson was looking for financial backing for a game console they had designed, and NEC was looking to get into the lucrative game market. The PC Engine was and is a very small video game console, due primarily to a very efficient three-chip architecture and its use of HuCards, credit-card sized data cartridges. It featured an enhanced MOS Technology 65C02 processor and a custom 16-bit graphics processor, as well as a custom video encoder chip, all designed by Hudson.

The PC Engine was extremely popular in Japan, beating Nintendo's Famicom in sales soon after its release, with no fewer than twelve systems released from 1987 to 1993. It was capable of up to 512 colours at once in several resolutions, and featured very robust sprite handling abilities. The Hudson-designed chroma encoder delivered a video signal more vibrant and colourful than both the Famicom and the Sega Mega Drive/Sega Genesis and is largely regarded as the equal to Nintendo's Super Famicom, although that system was not released until 1990.

read more...

As graphics technology improved, gamers continued to stick to the PC Engine despite its shortcomings. Erotic games were a key factor in making the PC Engine popular, and this popularity was maintained far past the lifespan of a regular video game console. New games were released for the PC Engine up until 1999.

It was the first console to have an optional CD module, allowing the standard benefits of the CD medium: more storage, cheaper media costs, and redbook audio. The efficient design, backing of many of Japan's major software producers, and the additional CD ROM capabilities gave the PC Engine a very wide variety of software, with several hundred games for each the HuCard and CD formats.

All PC Engine systems support the same controller peripherals, including pads, joysticks and multitaps. Except for the Vistar, Shuttle, X1, GT and systems with built-in CD ROM drives all PC Engine units shared the same expansion connector, which allowed for the use of devices such as the CD ROM unit, game saves and AV output.

The US TurboGrafx and Vistar units use a different controller port than the PC Engines, but adaptors are available and the protocol is the same. The TurboGrafx offers the same expansion connector pinout as the PC Engine, but has a slightly different shape so peripherals must be modified to fit.

Despite the system's initial success, it soon lost ground to the Super Famicom. NEC made one final effort to resuscitate the system with the release of the Arcade Card expansion, bringing the total amount of RAM up to a then-massive 2048K; many Arcade Card games were conversions of popular Neo-Geo titles. The additional memory even allowed the system to display pre-rendered 3D polygon graphics well beyond what the competing Super Famicom and Megadrive/Mega-CD could offer. By this time, however, it was too late -- only a relative handful of Arcade Card games were ever produced, and the expansion was never released in the U.S.

In 1994 NEC released a new console, the Japan-only PC-FX, a 32-bit system with a tower-like design; it enjoyed a small but steady stream of games until 1998, when NEC finally abandoned the video games industry.

The PC Engine GT is a portable version of the PC Engine. It had a very crisp screen and an optional TV tuner was available. It could play all of the PC Engine HuCard games, yet had low battery life.

Another variation of the hardware is the SuperGrafx. This system is very nearly the same as the original PCE, except it has a duplicate set of video chips (and an extra chip to coordinate the two) and four times as much RAM. Since the CPU was not upgraded most developers were unable to utilize the extra graphics capability, the CPU just could not keep up. Only five SuperGrafx games (and one hybrid game - Darius) were released, and the system fell into obscurity.

Other members of the PC Engine family include the Shuttle, the LT (a laptop version similar to the Game Boy Advance SP, but considerably larger), the CoreGrafx I and II, the Duo R and the Duo RX. Contrary to popular belief the CoreGrafx is not a European version of the PC Engine. It is simply a reengineered version of the original (white) PC Engine with an AV output instead of the original model's RF output. The PC Engine and its derivatives were never officially sold in Europe, although many systems and most accessories and games were available as imports. The PC Engine and its games had been extensively covered by most major European video game magazines and were surprisingly popular.

Buy Pc Engine For Sale at Console Passion

The second Core Grafx PC Engine System. The worlds first 16bit console. This console has been modified so it can play on a PAL TV. It has had an RGB modification & RGB Amp fitted so it outputs full RGB - much better than the original AV output. Complete with RGB Scart lead, official joypad and power supply. This console comes boxed and has...

Core Grafx PC Engine. The worlds first 16bit console. Complete with AV leads, joypad and Japanese power supply. Please ensure this will play on your TV - the signal is a NTSC signal and may not play on older TV's. This console comes boxed with instructions.

Core Grafx PC Engine. The worlds first 16bit console. Complete with AV leads, joypad &amp; power supply. Please ensure this will play on your TV - the signal is a NTSC signal and may not play on older TV\\'s. This console comes unboxed without instructions. The console has been tested and works fine.

This is the official grey NEC Core Grafx 2 joypad that comes boxed with the console. If you are looking for a replacement controller, these are the best - don't buy any third party inferior controllers, make sure you get the official ones! If you've got a multitap, why not get a copy of Bomberman and another two controllers and get your...

The Japanese Duo-R PC Engine & PC Engine CD combined system, plays both Hucards & CD-Rom games. This console has been modified so it can play Japanese and US Games - there is a switch installed to change the region. It has also had an RGB modification & RGB Amp fitted so it outputs full RGB - much better than the original AV output....

The Japanese PC Engine Duo combined PC Engine and PC Engine Super CD system, plays both Hucards and Super CD-Rom games. This console has been modified so it can play Japanese and US Games - there is a switch installed to change the region Complete with official joypad and power supply. This console is boxed, has been tested and works...

The Japanese Duo PC Engine and PC Engine Super CD combined system, plays both Hucards and Super CD-Rom games. This console has been modified so it can play Japanese and US Games - there is a switch installed to change the region. Complete with official joypad, AV Leads and UK power supply. This console comes unboxed and has been tested and...

The sad thing about the PC Engine is it didn\\'t do too well on western shores. Thus, many of the excellent games available in Japan have never been seen by the majority of people. Well thankfully, there exists a converter that will allow you to play Japanese Hucards on a non-Japanese console. And we have just one in stock. Awesome! This...

The sad thing about the PC Engine is it didn't do too well on western shores. Thus, many of the excellent games available in Japan have never been seen by the majority of people. Well thankfully, there exists a converter that will allow you to play Japanese Hucards on a non-Japanese console. And we have just one in stock. Awesome! This item is...

PC Engine GT - the handheld equivalent of the Japanese PC Engine - the worlds first 16bit console. Plays all games that play on a normal Japanese PC Engine. 6xAA batteries are required. Boxed, tested and working fine.

Complete with inner packaging. Manual, box and console serial numbers all match. Includes original batteries (still sealed). All contents and box are mint.

The handheld equivalent of the Japanese PC Engine - the worlds first 16bit console. Plays all games that play on a normal Japanese PC Engine. 6xAA batteries are required (not included). Thesound is good on loud on this console. This console is loose without instructions. The console has been tested an works fine.

PC Engine Briefcase Interface Unit. The worlds first 16bit console. This is a great Hucard and CD-ROM Interface Unit, very difficult to find this boxed. Requires a PC Engine console and CD-Rom units (not supplied). Boxed and complete with manual and all parts.

PC Engine Arcade style controller. This is a tough, solid arcade style joypad, designed to sit on a flat surface, with all the buttons on top of the pad and a joystick instead of directional buttons. Absolutely fantastic for beat-em-up games, you can vent your anger on the control pad as they are very durable (trust me on this one!). This item is...

The upgraded PC Engine console. The Super Grafx is the successor to the original PC Engine consoles and has enhanced graphics and sounds. It is backwards compatible with all PC Engine games. This console has been modified and will play US and Japanese Hucards. This console is loose with a UK power supply, has been tested and works fine.

So you've just got yourself a copy of Bomberman and you've got two mates with controllers who want to play, but there's only one joystick port! Well here's the solution for you - a PC Engine Multitap. All your problems are solved! Compatible with any four player game. This item is fully tested and comes loose without...

The original white Japanese PC Engine System. The worlds first 16bit console. This console has been modified so it can play Japanese and US Games - there is a switch installed to change the region. It has also had an AV modification to replace the RF connection which is unusable in Europe. Complete with AV lead, official white joypad and UK power...

The second Core Grafx PC Engine System. The worlds first 16bit console. This console has been modified so it can play Japanese and US Games - there is a switch installed to change the region. It has also had an RGB modification &amp; RGB Amp fitted so it outputs full RGB - much better than the original AV output. Complete with RGB Scart lead,...

Core Grafx PC Engine System. The worlds first 16bit console. This console has been modified so it can play Japanese and US Games - there is a switch installed to change the region. It has also had an RGB modification &amp; RGB Amp fitted so it outputs full RGB - much better than the original AV output. Complete with RGB Scart lead, official...

Core Grafx PC Engine System. The worlds first 16bit console. This console has been modified so it can play Japanese and US Games - there is a switch installed to change the region. It has also had an RGB modification & RGB Amp fitted so it outputs full RGB - much better than the original AV output. Complete with RGB Scart lead, official...

The original Japanese PC Engine System. The worlds first 16bit console. Complete with a RRG Scart lead, joypad and UK power supply. This console comes unboxed without instructions. The console has had two modifications - an import mod that lets you play US and Japanese games, plus an RGB mod - an amplified has also been fitted to boost the...

PC Engine Hucard and CD-Rom Briefcase Interface Unit. The worlds first 16 bit console. This console has been modified so it can play Japanese and US Games - there is a switch installed to change the region. This is a great Hucard and CD-ROM Interface Unit, complete with PC Engine Console, joypad, AV leads and power supply. Unboxed, tested...

The original Core Grafx PC Engine System. The worlds first 16bit console. This console has been modified so it can play Japanese and US Games - there is a switch installed to change the region. Complete with AV lead, official joypad & Japanse power supply. We have replacement brand new UK power supplies for this console if you do not have a...

Core Grafx PC Engine System. The worlds first 16bit console. This console has been modified so it can play Japanese and US Games - there is a switch installed to change the region.Complete with AV lead, official joypad & UK power supply. This console comes unboxed and has been tested and works fine.

The handheld equivalent of the US Turbo Grafx - the worlds first 16bit console. This console has been modified so it can play Japanese and US Games - there is a switch installed to change the region. 6xAA batteries are required (not included). Console has just one blown pixel, which seems to come and go. This console is loose without instructions...

The official Japanese RF Leads for the PC Engine. Used to connect your PC Engine to your TV\\'s RF port. Please be sure your TV can display a Japanese NTSC RF Signal before buying these! This item is fully tested and comes boxed and without instructions.